Friday, December 9, 2016

“There is a young man, probably a Navy officer, who
accompanies the President. This young man has a black attache case which
contains the codes that are needed to fire nuclear weapons. I could see the President
at a staff meeting considering nuclear war as an abstract question. He might
conclude: “On SIOP Plan One, the decision is affirmative. Communicate the Alpha
line XYZ.” Such jargon holds what is involved at a distance.

“My suggestion was quite simple: Put that needed code number
in a little capsule and then implant that capsule right next to the heart of a
volunteer. The volunteer would carry with him a big, heavy butcher knife as he
accompanied the President. If ever the President wanted to fire nuclear
weapons, the only way he could do so would be for him first, with his own
hands, to kill one human being. The President says, “George, I’m sorry but tens
of millions must die.” He has to look at someone and realize what death is -
what an innocent death is. Blood on the White House carpet. It’s a reality
brought home.

“When I suggested this to friends in the Pentagon they said,
“My God, that’s terrible. Having to kill someone would distort the President’s judgment.
He might never push the button!”